Advanced Beam Manipulation Through Dielectric Structures at VELA/CLARA facility

Academic School: Physics and Astronomy
Anticipated Start Date: September 2016 for 3.5 Years

Supervisor Team:
Dr. Yuri Saveliev (ASTeC, [Email Address Removed])
Dr. Guoxing Xia (University of Manchester, [Email Address Removed]).

Project description: Short, high-brightness and relativistic electron bunches can excite ultra-high wakefields in Dielectric Wakefield Accelerators (DWA). They can be used to generate high power THz coherent Cherenkov radiation, accelerate a trailing electron bunch with accelerating gradient two or three orders of magnitude larger than conventional RF based accelerators, and produce energy modulation (or reduce the correlated energy spread) within the bunch. The DWA is one of the several modern advanced accelerator concepts that is actively researched worldwide and is critical for the next generation compact accelerators and radiation sources (e.g. FELs and linear colliders). In this project, the electron beam from VELA/CLARA, state-of-the art facilities at Daresbury Laboratory will be utilized to drive dielectric structures including those with tunable dimensions to investigate advanced beam manipulation and radiation production, e.g. beam acceleration at high accelerating gradients, beam energy de-chirping and high power THz generation. Student will need to model the wakefield and simulate particle dynamics in various dielectric structures using software such as CST and VSIM; design and manufacture dielectric accelerator structures; plan, conduct the experiments and perform data analysis. Student will also present the results at international conferences and workshops write and publish high profile journal papers.

Qualifications applicants should have/expect to receive: The successful candidate will spend most of his/her time at the Cockcroft Institute near Warrington, working with STFC Daresbury Laboratory researchers. The successful candidate will have or expect to obtain a first or upper second-class degree or equivalent (e.g. MPhys, MSci) in physics. Experience of accelerator physics and computational physics is desirable but not essential.

Funding and eligibility: The project is fully funded by the Cockcroft Institute for 3 years, with a possible extension of 6 months. A full package of training and support will be provided by the Cockcroft Institute. Self-funded overseas students may apply. An IELTS score of at least 6.5 is required.

Contact for further information: [Email Address Removed], or visit Room 7.11, Schuster Building on the University of Manchester main campus.

How to apply: http://www.manchester.ac.uk/postgraduate/howtoapply/
This position will remain open until filled.